Keypad for data entry
View Patent ↗A keypad ( 102 ) for entering data in an electronic device ( 100 ) is disclosed. The keypad includes a first carrier ( 302 ), a key panel ( 202 ), and a backlighting module ( 204 ). The key panel is coupled to a first side of the first carrier and the backlighting module is coupled to a second side of the first carrier.
1. A keypad for entering data in an electronic device, the keypad comprising:
a first carrier having a first side and a second side;
a key panel coupled to the first side of the first carrier;
a backlighting module coupled to the second side of the first carrier;
an actuator panel located on an opposite side of the backlighting module from the key panel and operatively coupled to the key panel;
a dome panel operatively coupled to the actuator panel through a dome array film; and
a printed circuit board coupled to the dome panel.
2. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein the first carrier comprises a polymer film and the key panel is coupled to the first side of the first carrier by an adhesive.
3. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein the backlighting module is an electroluminescent panel.
4. The keypad of claim 3 , wherein the backlighting module comprises:
a conducting layer located on the second side on the first carrier;
a phosphor layer located on the conducting layer; and
one or more electrodes coupled to the phosphor layer.
5. The keypad of claim 4 , wherein the phosphor layer is a conductor comprising one of a sputtered layer and a screen printed layer.
6. The keypad of claim 4 , wherein the conducting layer is a translucent layer made up of indium tin oxide.
7. The keypad of claim 4 , wherein the one or more electrodes are opaque electrodes selected from a group comprising carbon electrodes, and silver electrodes.
8. The keypad of claim 4 , wherein the backlighting module further comprises one or more insulating layers between the phosphor layer and the one or more electrodes.
9. The keypad of claim 8 , wherein the one or more insulating layers are made of material selected from a group comprising oxides of aluminum, oxides of titanium, oxides of silicon, and oxides of yttrium.
10. The keypad of claim 1 , wherein the first carrier is a substrate selected from a group comprising polyethylene terephthalate substrate, a polyester substrate, and a polycarbonate substrate.
11. A keypad, comprising:
an electroluminescent panel having a first side and a second side and comprising: a phosphor layer, one or more electrodes coupled to the phosphor layer and one or more insulating layers between the phosphor layer and the one or more electrodes;
a key panel coupled to the first side of the electroluminescent panel; and
a dome array coupled to the second side of the electroluminescent panel.
12. The keypad of claim 11 , wherein the dome array comprises:
an actuator panel coupled to the second side of the electroluminescent panel and operatively coupled to the key panel; and
a dome panel operatively coupled to the actuator panel through a dome array film.
13. The keypad of claim 11 , further comprising a printed circuit board coupled to an opposite side of the dome array from the electroluminescent panel.
14. The keypad of claim 11 , wherein the phosphor layer is one of a sputtered layer, and a screen printed layer.
15. The keypad of claim 11 , wherein the phosphor layer is a translucent layer made up of indium tin oxide.
16. The keypad of claim 11 , wherein the one or more electrodes are opaque electrodes selected from a group comprising carbon electrodes and silver electrodes.
17. The keypad of claim 11 , wherein the one or more insulating layers are made of material selected from a group comprising oxides of aluminum, oxides of titanium, oxides of silicon, and oxides of yttrium.